Stand for pocket lighters



Patented June 1, 1954 2,679,?iii

UiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE STAND FOR POCKET LIGHTERS Constantin C.Seletzky, Baltimore, Md.

Application September 4, 1951, Serial No. 244,952

2 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanical lighters of the pocket type andmore particularly to stands or holders for supporting them upright on atable or other horizontal flat surface.

The conventional mechanical lighter is made relatively short in widthand while stable if correctly erected and set on a table, is very easilytipped over, to rest on its side. This position is inconvenient to thegeneral user and subjects the article to a substantial amount of wearand tear. To provide a stable unit suitable for holding the lighter soit may be easily handled and at the same time keep it in a verticalposition, with the lighting parts accessible for use, a special holderis provided in this invention. This holder consists of a hollow standhaving a large base with flat underneath surface so it will be stableand permit placement on a table or other flat horizontal surface, withthe assurance that it will remain steady and erect. It is provided witha vertical pocket designed to hold the lighter body inserted in it, yetleave suflicient access for its removal by the user. This converts apocket lighter into a table lighter with all the usual features inherentin the latter.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holder fora pocket mechanical lighter that will retain it in a vertical positionon a table or other flat horizontal surface, and thereby convert thepocket lighter into a table lighter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved holderfor a mechanical lighter that will be an attractive item with thepurpose of holding it firmly and effectively, while at the same timeaiiording arrangements that will permit its facile removal and use as apocket lighter when desired.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is more fullydescribed.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and its objects referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, which when used in conjunctionwith the following description illustrate a particular form of theinvention, and with the claims connected therewith, indicating the scopeof the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view in elevation of a holder and lighter embodyingthis invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the holder' sectioned on line 2-2 ofFigure 3;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the holder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail in perspective of a spring clamp used in thisembodiment of the holder;

Figure 5 is a detail of the magnetic plate used in this holder; and

Figure 6 is a detail of a wall cushion used in this embodiment.

Similar reference characters refer to the similar parts throughout thedrawings.

In the particular construction shown in the drawings, a holder It] for amechanical lighter H of conventional form is adapted for table use. Theholder consists of a shell of non-magnetic material with a wide base l2preferably flared out from the vertical walls 13 of the holder. Itsunderneath surface is flat. The holder shell is made high enough toenclose the lighter ll up to the level of its operational parts [4employed for actuating the lighter. It is not deemed necessary todescribe such parts or their operation as they are based on structureand principles well known to the average citizen.

A pocket I5 is provided internally in the holder shell it with its Wallsurfaces arranged to fit the lighter and hold it in a vertical position.An undercut groove I6 is provided adjacent the bottom I! of the pocketand is used to contain a fiat U-spring l8 within it. The spring has itsend portions 19 formed to clamp against the exterior wall surface of thelighter and exert a holding pressure thereon. The spring clamp It beinglocated in the groove It prevents the lighter so clamped from beingeasily ejected from the pocket of the holder. The tension of the springclamp I8 is designed to press its ends It inwardly. A relatively thincushion 20 with a wedge-like contour and made of resilient material isfastened to the wall of the pocket and is designed to guide and wedgethe lighter tightly in the holder.

At the bottom I! of the pocket I5, a magnetic plate 2| is installedflush, and serves to magnetically hold on to a metallic filler plug usedin the lighter to hold the lighter in the holder. Thus the lighter isheld within the pocket I5 by three different arrangements suitable forthe purpose, but not looking the lighter permanently in place. In otherwords the lighter while held securely for all general purposes does notprevent the ready removal of the lighter, when so desired. The lighteris often made of non-magnetic material, but for the purposes of this invention is preferably made of iron, steel or other magnetic material,which can be readily provided for.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification, it is not desired to limit thisapplication for patent to this particular form as it is appreciated thatother forms of construction could be made that would use the sameprinciples and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a container for a mechanical lighter,said container comprising a shell having opposite internal walls formingan internal pocket of the shape of the lighter, said pocket having anopen top and a closed bottom, an enlarged stand at the bottom of theshell having a flat resting surface, a cushioning member secured to oneof the internal walls of the pocket, near its open top, said memberhaving a tapered wedge to guide the lighter slid in the aforesaid pocketto bias it against the opposite internal wall, one of the internal wallsof the pocket near the bottom thereof having an internal groove, and aU-shaped spring clamp received in the groove and holding the lower endof the lighter resiliently between its legs.

acre/74o 2. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe container is of non-magnetic material to receive a lighter ofmagnetic material, the internal bottom wall of the pocket having agroove therein, and a magnetic plate in said groove flush with thebottom wall of the pocket magnetically holding the lighter within theholder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,295,987 Boxer Sept. 15, 1942 2,351,107 Charnysh June 13,1944 2,405,764 smith Aug. 13, 1946 2,430,103 Campos Nov. 4, 19472,460,427 Musselman et al. Feb. 1, 1949 2,499,623 Barnett Mar. 7, 19502,509,251 Rogers May 30, 1950 2,531,123 Guise et a1 Nov. 21, 1950

